How to Write Like a Professional

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Well, I'll Be! Clover Me Green! I Really AM a Good-Luck Machine!

Did you know that one of my super powers is finding 4-leaf clovers? I LOVE 4-leaf clovers! I collect them in little decorative boxes. Once, I found 17 4-leaf clovers in an hour! That averages to a mere 3.5 minutes per genetic mutation!

Clovers and Shells

When I was in 3rd grade at Candler Elementary School, my teacher was Mrs. Comer and her assistant was Ms. Allen. Ms. Allen collected 4-leaf clovers in a barrel of water on her front porch. Anytime someone found a 4-leaf clover, she'd trade a seashell for it. That's how I began my collection of seashells. Though I had never been to the beach before, I had collected dozens of shells. I was the best 4-leaf clover finder in the 3rd grade! And I finally got to visit the ocean when I was in high school.

Clover Me Green

Of course, there's a book I'm writing about 4-leaf clovers. It's called Clover Me Green. Maybe one day you can see it in print and read all about Molly and her clover hunting adventures.

I help writers create compelling stories and build submission-ready manuscripts so they can run with their writing. Connect with hundreds of other writers on my FREE Facebook group, Writers Who Run (or Walk). ~ bit.ly/writerswhorun ~

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Did You Know Copperheads Are Pit Vipers?

I'm writing a book about a boy who loves snakes. So, I have to become an expert too. My husband found this video in an article on USA Today, so I thought I'd share it with you. Even though most people would kill a copperhead in an instant (and I'm no different), they are also "good" snakes because they eat mice and voles.

Art Schaeffer's Nickname is Gleek

Did you know that "gleek" is a verb? It means: to use one's saliva glands to shoot saliva a credible distance, with the intention of hitting someone or something. Also known as "snake spitting." He learned to gleek at a young age, by accident.

Growing up, my brother could always gleek on demand. I never could get it right. Occasionally, I'll accidentally gleek when yawning. What about you? Can you gleek?

Gleek's Pet Snake

In my book, Gleek has a pet snake. I'm thinking of letting it be a common grass snake, either a rough green snake or a smooth green snake. They are smaller, 2-3 feet, and a more shy species that may not like to be handled as much as some other species. But Art likes to hold his snake a lot. Do you have a favorite species? A species suggestion you'd like to see Gleek own?

I help writers create compelling stories and build submission-ready manuscripts so they can run with their writing. Connect with hundreds of other writers on my FREE Facebook group, Writers Who Run (or Walk). ~ bit.ly/writerswhorun ~

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Who Won the Wireless SoundWhiz Headphones?

One of this year's sponsor's, SoundWhiz, donated three pairs of wireless headphones. The top 3 winners overall were super excited to win them!!!

Top Three

The top three winners of the race, overall, completed the 10k trail race in under an hour!

Dave Essinger (57:58)

Dave Harlow (58:19)

Dylan Astrom (59:20)

And did you notice that they all have a name that begins with the letter "D"?

SoundWhiz

One of the racers, who sadly didn't win one of the SoundWhiz headphones, was ACHING to win one. It was what kept him going - the hope for such an awesome prize. He still won 3rd place in his age group, though. Thanks, SoundWhiz, for being the carrot to dangle in front of our racers!

Next Year

Next year's race will see a slight (or a not-so-slight) change. In order to more easily accommodate more runners of differing levels, there will be a 5k option added. And the course will change. It will be a flatter course, on the road, with a grand view at the base of the famous Fontana Dam, the second largest dam this side of the Mississippi. The name is changing too. Instead of the Writers Who Run 10k Trail Race, it will be called the Writers Who Run 10k and 5k Race for Literacy. Hope to see you there!

I help writers create compelling stories and build submission-ready manuscripts so they can run with their writing. Connect with hundreds of other writers on my FREE Facebook group, Writers Who Run (or Walk). ~ bit.ly/writerswhorun ~

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Are You an Astronomy Geek, Too?

This August 21, 2017 will the first time the United States will see a total solar eclipse across the contiguous states since 1918. I'm within 2 hours of the 100% band! I'm so excited! I even found a video about five ways to safely view a solar eclipse.

Making Memories

I don't know why I love celestial bodies so much, be it the sun, the moon, or the stars, but I do. I love the constellations and special occurrences such as solar (and lunar) eclipses. If you can, get with your children and make some memories with them. Maybe they'll turn into an astronomy geek too!

5 Ways to Safely View the Eclipse

In the video above, they list:

solar shield

eclipse glasses

pinhole method

pegboard

lens solar filter

What have you used in the past? What's your favorite? It seems as though children most often use the pinhole method. It's probably the safest because it has the lowest risk of accidental exposure.

Storytelling

Lastly, I once wrote a picture book manuscript that will never see the light of day. It was about the constellations and the tooth fairy. Apparently, it was two different stories overlapping, much like the moon overlapping the sun. Can you write a story about the moon, the sun, or the stars? Who will be the star of your story?

Are you planning on watching the eclipse this August 21? If you had a chance to see it, what was it like? How will you (or did you) celebrate? Share in the comments!

I help writers create compelling stories and build submission-ready manuscripts so they can run with their writing. Connect with hundreds of other writers on my FREE Facebook group, Writers Who Run (or Walk). ~ bit.ly/writerswhorun ~